Utah soil conservation districts, in conjunction with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), are sponsoring free water sampling for local residents to promote awareness of ground water quality. Water sampling and testing of water wells, agricultural wells, and springs is provided as a public service. Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Cary G. Peterson, emphasizes that it is important that people understand their quality of water and how to protect water quality to insure good health and crop production.

The sampling program provides chemical analysis of minerals, ions, total salts, pesticides, and Coliform and E.coli bacteria. Each person that signs up to have their water tested will receive a complete water analysis report and letter explaining the report. The program is voluntary and non-regulatory. Its purpose is to provide water quality information for citizens of Utah who use water that is not regulated under the federal Clean Water Act.

You can get more information and schedule water sampling by contacting Mark Quilter at UDAF (801) 538-9905.  You may also request information by fax at (801) 538-9436 or email mquilter@utah.gov.  More information about the department’s Ground Water Program is available at: www.ag.utah.gov/mktcons/groundwater.html

Read the October Issue of AgNews
3:58:14 PM    

Gov. Mike Leavitt today appointed Scott D. Williams, M.D., as executive director of the Utah Department of Health. He fills the position vacated by Rod Betit, who is leaving to become the president of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association.

"Scott brings a stellar medical background and record of public service to the job," said Leavitt. "He directed the Health Department’s 2002 Olympics planning and operations and has been instrumental in improving immunization rates and reducing tobacco use in our state."

Dr. Williams, a pediatrician, joined the Utah Department of Health in 1993 as the director of the Division of Community and Family Health Services. In addition to overseeing programs designed to improve childhood immunization rates, reduce tobacco use, and decrease medical errors, he has also helped improve health outcomes and services for disadvantaged children and families.

"I am leaving the department in competent hands that are filled with experience and know-how to get the job done well," said Betit, whose last day is today.

As executive director, Dr. Williams will oversee a $1.4 billion budget that includes Medicaid, disease surveillance, laboratory services, emergency medical services, health facility and daycare licensing, maternal and child health, health promotion programs, health data analysis and vital records. The department has approximately 1,200 employees.

"I am looking forward to serving the people of Utah with an incredible team of dedicated men and women who are committed to preventing disease and providing access to needed health services," said Dr. Williams. "We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in Utah’s twelve local health departments and the private health care delivery system to keep Utah at the top of the list of healthy states."

Williams received his M.D. and M.P.H degrees from the University of Utah. He completed a pediatric internship at the University of Wisconsin and a pediatric residency at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City. Prior to joining the Department of Health, he spent ten years as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Utah as a general pediatrician providing care to the children of medically under served American Indian families, migrant workers, and inner city residents.

Williams’ appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

3:16:11 PM    

The forces are gathering against identity thieves. Prosecutors and police officers, bankers and credit union managers, retailers and legislators, credit card companies and collection agencies are all joining together for Utah’s first Identity Theft Summit. Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is holding the summit to try and stop the state’s fastest growing crime.

"We’ve never seen a crime grow so fast," says Shurtleff. "Everyone is at risk from identity theft. Even if you do everything right, you can still become a victim."

The summit, which is sponsored by the Utah Bankers Association, will include a panel about identity theft with perspectives from a victim, a perpetrator and a security expert. The summit will then break into working groups to find solutions in three areas:

Prevention and Precaution Individuals and business owners need to know how to protect data to avoid being victimized by identity fraud. They also need to know what to do if they suspect their information has been compromised.

Criminal Justice Public and private entities must work together to make sure perpetrators are held accountable. New legislation needs to be passed to strengthen penalties and provide more restitution for victims.

Assistance to Victims Police and credit reports need to be simplified and standardized to make it easier for victims to restore their good names. Collection, credit and law enforcement agencies will consider grace periods to allow victims to discover and report identity theft.

Utah Identity Theft Summit

When: Thursday, October 9, 2003

8:30 a.m., Opening Remarks

9:00 a.m., Panel Discussion

12:30 p.m., Recommendations

Where: Wells Fargo Center, 23rd Floor, 299 S. Main, S.L.C.

3:07:14 PM    

National Wildlife Refuge Week will be celebrated during the week of October 12-18.  Wildlife refuges around the country plan to hold special events, festivals, environmental education programs and dedications of new facilities.

 There are three national wildlife refuges in Utah:

• Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
  Historically, the marshes of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge have been an oasis of water for waterfowl and shorebirds surrounded by arid desert lands. As a key part of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem, the Refuge provides habitat for more than 200 species of birds making it a popular birding hotspot in northern Utah.
• Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge
  Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), located at the southern end of the Great Salt Lake Desert, was established in 1959 to provide habitat for migrating and wintering birds. Totaling 17,992 acres, the Refuge supports 10,000 acres of lush spring fed wetlands, a critical habitat in the arid Great Basin.
• Ouray National Wildlife Refuge
  Ouray National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located in the desert of northeastern Utah and receives less than 7 inches of precipitation annually. The Green River brings water down from the mountains of Wyoming and through the Refuge, attracting thousands of waterfowl and other birds. The Refuge includes 16 miles of the Green River, totaling 11,987 acres.
  

8:54:17 AM